Unless you’re in other time zones, then it’s afternoon reading. Well, you get the drift. Practice isn’t until noon today, followed by a flight to San Jose, so here’s a couple stories that you might not have caught.
First, a nice feature on Scott Parse in the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette, Parse’s hometown paper, on his first NHL games. Second, a feature I wrote on Ryan Smyth for LAKings.com. I’ll be writing weekly features for the website. This week’s feature will be on Anze Kopitar. Shocking, huh?
Portage’s Scott Parse registers assists in first two games with NHL’s Los Angeles Kings
Just to confirm, practice is Noon today at TSC in El Segundo? Thinking about running down there if it is…
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Paul…that’s correct.
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It would be nice if they could ever have a practice out at Citizens Bank Arena once during the season. It’d be great for us Inland Empire fans to get a chance to see a practice without putting aside 4 hours of our day to fight the 91 freeway. Probably wishful thinking, but worth a shot to ask.
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I would like to see something on the most under rated and surprisingly reliable King this season, Davis Drewiske. Every time I have checked the stats (which is probably 10x per day) the yougster has been leading the Kings in the +/- stat.
He is currently at +8.
Doughty +2
Johnson -6
Lets give him some love!
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great article on Smyth btw.
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Didn’t we have a whole section on Drewiske regarding his contract and play this season…last week?
Rich – Any idea where the Kings are practicing in the Bay Area and if it’s an open practice or not? I’d love to go if it is.
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Isn’t it nice to see 3 Kings defensemen in the top 30 in plus/minus in the league?
Drewiskie +8
Greene +6
O’Donnell +6
Let’s not forget Wayne Simmonds +6
http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20102ALLSASAll&sort=plusMinus&viewName=plusMinus
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Off topic here. If & when Loktionov is ready to come up who will the kings sacrifice? He’s a center so im thinking it would be Handzus or Stoll??
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Great stuff rich … thanks!
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Can we get an article on Alexander Frolov?
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DellaNooch
My bad! It was posted on a Friday at 5pm and im usually out living my life on the weekends.
i save the computer nerdism for the week days.
good for drewiske!
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Hey Rich, don’t you ever get a day off? Seriously, thank you for the fantastic job you are doing keeping us informed on how the lads are doing. You are providing a great resource for the fans.
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I would like to see Loktionov with the Kings sooner rather than later for no other reason than to play with Frolov. I’m hoping they can form some type of chemestry on and off the ice (both are Russian) that may help keep Frolov in LA.
You could move Stoll or Zeus to wing. If the kids that good they’ll find a spot for him. And if Purcell doesn’t pick up his game soon, DL’s decision will be that much easier!
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You have just the best job Rich. As great as your blog was, this gig is even better…and you get paid for it. Thanks for all the good reads, I bet I check here 10 times a day for your updates. How do you like being on TV now? I’ve seen the guys talk with you twice now. Keep up the good work.
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With PakiFro and Barry throwing in the Loktionov option, I got a great feeling….
Options … we got … options.
Holy crap that’s nice.
These are good times my friends.
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JPUCK – You’re a better man than me, this blog is like crack.
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(Wipes Nose)(Taps Vein)(Puts pipe down)
ADDICTION?!?!?
Nah Man….(Shaking) It’s a lifestyle choice. Don’t judge me.
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Gotta love all the info. i have to say though, i think you do Smyth a bit of injustice in the article Rich. You continue the stereotype of Smyth as a player who gets all his goals because of the price he’ll pay at the net, and go so far as to say you won’t see highlight goals from him. But in watching the games this season i have been very impressed with his calm with the puck on his stick and his passing. I think it’s been those skills more than his attacking the net and being a net presence that have raised Anze’s play to a new level. Many of their attacks come from close-in passing between the two, particularly on transition as they come flying into the zone zinging the puck around.
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Great article Rich.
It’s also nice to see Quincey getting lots of recognition for helping Colorado get off to a good start. It looks like this was the proverbial trade that helped both teams.
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Great trade for the present. Six or seven years down the road, people may be laughing that the Kings (and Detroit) gave up Kyle Quincey…
Love what Smyth has done for this team. But, when the Kings are ready to really make a serious dent in the playoffs, he’ll probably be either retired or back in Edmonton.
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Check out the picture in the Parse article, 2 old scared ladies in the front row… and this team is staying in Phoenix because….
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Marc,
I understand your thinking, but I don’t want to wait another six or seven years. I want to compete now, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we have an eventual replacement for Quincey somewhere in our farm system.
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Marc,
Six or seven years down the road? This will be a tough team to deal with for the next several years. Smyth has been exactly what the team needed, a veteran with credibility who works his butt off. His down low play has already rubbed off on several players. His intensity and skill demonstrates what has to be done to become a winner. Smyth’s impact will be apparent long after he leaves this organization. I loved what Quincey brought to the table, but Smyth has made an immediate impact that will last for a long time.
This team will be better for a long time thanks to guys like Smyth. In six or seven years there could be a real tradition and organizational pride in what it takes to become an LA King.
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